Silver halide color photographic material

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a silver halide color photographic material having a relatively low silver content suitable for digital print, leading to print quality superior in contrast and color reproduction is attained irrespective of camera quality used for picture-taking. The silver halide color photographic material, after having been processed, satisfies the following equation (1) which is calculated for under-exposure, correct exposure and over-exposure and any one of the color-sensitive layers satisfies the following equations (2) and (3) with respect to gradients (γU, γN, γO) for under-exposure, correct exposure and over-exposure. 
 
 Crm ≧1045−log 10   S ×75   (1) 
 
0.92≦γ U/γN ≦1.05   (2) 
 
0.92≦γ O/γN ≦1.05   (3)

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a silver halide color photographicmaterial capable of providing print quality of superior contrast andcolor reproduction and having a relatively low silver content suitablefor digital printing.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Along with developments of techniques for silver halide photographicmaterial for general camera use (hereinafter, also denoted simply asphotographic materials or negative film), photographic materialsappeared on the market one after another, having a higher speed than ISO100 which was generally used.

On the other hand, there were also offered on the market various kindsof cameras for use in photographing, such as a single-lens reflex cameraregarded as a high-grade instrument, a compact cameral having a zoomingfunction, and simple cameras such as fixed-focus, fixed-aperture orfixed shutter speed cameras and lens-fitted film. However, thepercentage of appearance of picture scenes deviated from correctexposure such as under-exposure scenes and over-exposure scenes rose incameras having no exposure control mechanism, leading to causes ofresulting in a lowering of print productivity or finished print qualityin photofinishing laboratories. There is desired an immediate responsethereto.

In view of the foregoing problems in regard to silver halide colorphotographic material, when under-exposed negative film is printed,there results a lowered print quality such that density expressiveness(or tone reproduction) of the negative is deficient in highlight andshadow areas with respect to the density of the subject so that raisingthe density of the subject simultaneously increases the entire density,becoming darker; to the contrary, when the entire density is lowered,the density of the subject is also lowered and the image becomesblurred, resulting in deteriorated color reproduction and leading to aprint image unacceptable for observation. Under such situations, theallowable range of an appropriate print density becomes extremely narrowand printing becomes difficult.

Under-exposed picture taking scenes easily appear not only in, forexample, room-light or night photographing, scenes having a relativelyhigh dark proportion and the use of a simple camera, but also in thecase of what is generally called “photographing against light”, forexample, the subject being darker than the lighted background such asthe sky. In such photographing, the photographer's understanding ofpicture-taking being performed in a dark scene is deficient and theobtained prints are often finished in under-exposure. Accordingly, agreat difference in print quality exists between photographer'sunderstanding or expectation and the finished prints. Specifically, sucha case has proved to be the cause for many quality claims from theresults of a survey.

The photographic speed of a system of picture-taking as described aboveis called an effective speed. It is common knowledge that the effectivespeed of a negative-positive system by using color negative film andcolor negative paper may be associated with but cannot be simplycorrelated to a conventional color negative film speed, as defined inISO standard (hereinafter, also denoted as ISO speed).

Methods for solving the foregoing print quality problem of under-exposedscenes include a means for enhancing the ISO speed of color negativefilm. For instance, the speed of a silver halide emulsion is greatlydependent of silver halide crystal sizes so that enhancement of thespeed can be achieved by the use of a silver halide emulsion of largesized grains and is technically easy, which are commonly known andreported in literature, and are generally practiced. Further, theforegoing problems of under-exposed scenes are also produced similarlyin over-exposed scenes.

A single channel type printer installed with a scanner (hereinafter,also denoted simply as 1ch. printer) can perform finer scanning (imagescanning) of negative images than before, by using a CCD camera and moreappropriate exposure control can be achieved by taking the patternanalysis of each individual scene into account. However, the print yieldcannot be much enhanced even by using such a printer instrument and itis the present state that quality of finished prints, specifically colorreproduction is by no means at a satisfactory level.

Although the print yield was slightly enhanced through recentdevelopment of printer techniques, further improvement is desired underpresent conditions.

The percentage of appearance of under-exposed and over-exposed scenes ishigh in the present negative-positive printing method, specificallyoverall image quality of an under-exposure scene, particularly colorreproduction is markedly inferior to that of a normal exposure orover-exposure scene, so that further enhanced image quality ofunder-exposure scene is desired with respect to enhancement of overallprint image quality or a print yield.

It is known that sharpness and graininess greatly affect overall imagequality, as described in literature (for example, “Shashinkogaku no Kiso(Ginen-shashin)” published by Corona-sha). For example, an imageenhancement method by employing an RMS granularity in the vicinity ofcorrect exposure is disclosed in JP-A No. 10-268467 (hereinafter, theterm JP-A refers to Japanese Patent Application Publication). However,overall image quality of an under-exposed scene is different from thatof normal exposure scene and cannot be accounted for only by sharpnessand graininess. Further, in order to enhance image quality, for example,an increased silver coating amount or the use of material such as acoupler in a large amount results in a cost increase and it is difficultto say to be an efficient method.

On the other hand, in addition to printers employing a traditionalexposure control system, there are emerged printers of a digital orhybrid system, in which density data of an image is read as digital dataand subjected to image processing, followed by performance of printing,based on the obtained data.

However, when the printers described above were used, compression orlack of information at the time of digitization (or quantization) of thedensity proved to be a problem, in addition to the foregoing problems ofthe exposure control system in under- and over-exposure. This is due tothe fact that while the negative image density usually has data up to3.5 (or more than 300 gradations), an image of the standard format hasto be compressed to 256 gradations at the time of quantization, in whicha part of the data is appropriately converted.

Specifically, a disadvantage caused by the foregoing is that it producedproblems such that when an under-exposed, low contrast scene isconverted to an appropriate contrast, inconsistency of the negativedensity range and the range of quantization forcedly enhances a contrastto an extent more than that needed by a human being, resulting indeteriorated color reproduction or excessively softened contrast inover-exposed, high contrast scenes in which luminance of the mainsubject is alienated from that of the background. As a result, it turnedout that the most of the dynamic range was not used, often resulting inan unnatural image print of low colorfulness and print level variationfrequently occurred. Complication of algorithms improved a part ofphenomena but resulted in a lowering of productivity per time and it wastherefore impractical under present conditions.

It was further proved that high-speed processing or diversification ofprocesses, as trends in the photographic market resulted in a partiallowering in SN ratio at the time of digitization, in silver halidephotographic material using at least a prescribed amount of silver. Itis assumed that when negative-to-positive conversion of a negative imagedigital printing is undergone to perform digital printing throughvarious processes, the case of desilvering being insufficient during theprocess, for example, exhaustion of a bleaching solution results inmetallic silver remaining on the coated film, leading to a lowering ofthe SN ratio. When metallic silver remains in developed negative filmand the negative film is scanned by a printer, positioning of individualpicture is accurately performed. Specifically in a scene picture-takenby a low-priced camera of low transportation accuracy, data of portionsnon-relevant to the actual scene (minimum density) is carried in imageprocessing, so that positive image processing cannot be achieved byeffectively employing the dynamic range of positive image data (8 bit ormore, up to 16 bit), resulting in prints having incompatible gradation,as compared to one obtained by a conventional analog type printer.

To solve the foregoing problems, there have been proposed silver halidecolor photographic materials or cameras to enhance finished printquality, specifically color reproduction or tone reproduction.

For example, a silver halide color photographic material for camera usewas proposed in which the latitude for white light exposure, thelatitude for red light exposure and the green gradation are set withinspecified conditions, whereby superior print quality can be stablyachieved from negative films of various exposure conditions (asdisclosed in, for example, patent document 1). There was also proposed amethod for improving color reproduction and sharpness without vitiatingprocess stability, in which the ratio of green gradation for white lightexposure to green gradation for green light exposure is controlledwithin a specific relation by using a silver halide color photographicmaterial exhibiting a specific spatial frequency (as disclosed in, forexample, patent document 2).

There was further proposed a lens-fitted film unit in which a simplecamera having a shutter of a fixed shutter speed at a fixed focaldistance and a fixed aperture value was installed and highlysatisfactory photographic prints were obtained with reduced frequenciesof under-exposure and over-exposure even in such a simple camera, byallowing a system speed index to fall within the range from 0 to 4.5 (asdisclosed in, for example, patent document 3).

However, none of the foregoing proposed methods can sufficiently displayadvantageous effects even by using any one of from a high-grade camerato a simple camera and the use of films differing in effective speedresults in different effects. And specifically with respect to colorreproduction, it is hard to say that satisfactory quality is achievedunder all conditions.

Patent document 1:

-   -   JP-A No. 9-90575 (scope of patent claims)

Patent document 1

-   -   JP-A No. 2000-321727 (scope of patent claims)

Patent document 1

-   -   JP-A No. 2000-47280 (scope of patent claims)

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing object of the invention can be accomplished by thefollowing constitutions.

(1) A silver halide color photographic material comprising on a supporta red-sensitive layer, a green-sensitive layer and a blue-sensitivelayer, wherein after having been subjected to photographic colorprocessing, the photographic material satisfies equation (1) below withrespect to Crm values which are defined as below and calculated forunder-exposure, correct exposure and over-exposure; the red-sensitivelayer, the green-sensitive layer and the blue-sensitive layer eachsatisfy the following equations (2) and (3) with respect to gradients(γU, γN, γO) at under-exposure, correct exposure and over-exposure;Crm≧1045−log₁₀ S×75   equation (1)wherein S is a nominal speed of the photographic material, and Crm isdefined as follows:

when a Macbeth color chart (of 24 squares) having been photographed withthe photographic material using a camera under a sun light source havinga color temperature of 4800° K at each of a correct exposure (N), anunder-exposure (U) of being 2 stops down from the correct exposure andan over-exposure (O) of being 2 stops up from the correct exposure andafter having been subjected to color processing, the photographicmaterial having exposed at each of the foregoing exposures is printed ona color print paper with respect to the respective exposures under suchan exposure condition that N5 gray of the Macbeth color chart (graychart of 18% reflectance) gives values of L*=50, a*=0 and b*=0, metricchroma C_(ab)* values are determined for Blue, Green, Red, Yellow,Magenta and Cyan of the color chart at the respective exposures, and theCrm value is the total value of the metric chroma values at theunder-exposure condition, correct exposure condition and theover-exposure condition;0.92≦γU/γN≦1.05   equation (2)0.92≦γO/γN≦1.05   equation (3)wherein when a density function curve (D-logE) indicating a relationshipbetween exposure and color density is prepared for the processedphotographic material, the γU, γN and γO are each determined by thefollowing definition:

-   -   γU: a slope (tanθ) of a straight line connecting an exposure        point (−0.1−log₁₀S) and an exposure point (0.9−log₁₀S),    -   γN: a slope (tanθ) of a straight line connecting an exposure        point (0.5−log₁₀S) and an exposure point (1.5−log₁₀S),    -   γO: a slope (tanθ) of a straight line connecting an exposure        point (2.0−log₁₀S) and an exposure point (3.0−log₁₀S);

(2) A silver halide color photographic material comprising on a supporta red-sensitive layer, a green-sensitive layer and a blue-sensitivelayer, wherein after subjected to color photographic processing, thephotographic material satisfies the following equation (4) with respectto a quality value QC as defined as below; the red-sensitive layer, thegreen-sensitive layer and the blue-sensitive layer each satisfy theforegoing equation (2) with respect to gradients (γU, γN, γO) atunder-exposure, correct exposure and over-exposure;QC≧15.982×S ⁻⁰³⁷⁸   equation (4)wherein S is a nominal speed of the photographic material, preferablyfrom 100 to 800; and QC is defined as below;

when a Macbeth color chart (24 squares) having been photographed withthe photographic material using a camera under a light source having acolor temperature of 4800° K at an under-exposure of being 3 stops downfrom normal exposure in which the aperture of the camera is reduced by 3steps from the normal exposure and after having been processed, thephotographic material is exposed to obtain a print under an exposurecondition so that N5 gray of the Macbeth color chart (gray chart of 18%reflectance) gives values of L*=50, a*=0 and b*=0 and 18 colors otherthan gray are subjected to chromaticity measurement, the quality valueof QC is calculated according to the following equation (5):QC=(Cr+Ch)/2   equation (5)wherein Cr and Ch are defined in the following equations (6) and (7):Cr=20×log₁₀(Cr0)   equation (6)Ch=7.0−3×log₁₀(Ch0)   equation (7)wherein Cr0 represents a ratio of a mean metric chroma value C_(ab)*calculated from chromaticity values of 18 colors of the Macbeth colorchart to a mean metric chroma value C_(ab)* calculated from chromaticityvalues of 18 colors of the print of the Macbeth color chart; and whenfrom color vectors of the 18 colors of the Macbeth color chart and therespective color vectors of the print corresponding to the Macbeth colorchart, chromaticity fluctuations for the respective colors arerepresented by an angle between the foregoing color vectors for each ofthe 18 colors, and a mean value of the chromaticity fluctuations isdesignated as Ch0;

(3) The silver halide color photographic material described in (1) or(2), wherein the total coating weight of silver is a silver amount B(g/m²) as defined in the following equation (8):B≦10.0−10^((−0.005×S+0.85))   equation (8)wherein S is a nominal speed of the photographic material;

(4) The silver halide color photographic material described in any of(1) to (3), wherein the nominal speed S is from 100 to 800.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The inventors of this application have made studies in light of theproblems described above and as a result of detailed analysis of densitydistribution of photographed scenes taken by general users using variouscameras, it was proved that in algorithm for exposure control atspecified speed of a printer, normal exposure conditions were easilydetermined when color reproduction of under-, normal and over-exposuresof photographic material was higher than the given value for the filmspeed.

Efficient achievement of enhancement of image quality has been aproposition for years and development of a method thereof has beenconsistently desired. As a result of the inventors' study, it wasfurther proved that a dominant factor of print quality was not onlygraininess but also when a quality value relating to color reproduction,a Crm value or QC value was more than the prescribed values and thegradation ratio in the under-, normal and over-gradation regions was setwithin a specific condition, print quality was recognized as beingsuperior; and the quality values depend of nominal speed of the usedfilm. Thus, the present invention has come into being as a result of theforegoing.

The silver halide color photographic material according to the inventioncomprises on a support a red-sensitive layer, a green-sensitive layerand a blue-sensitive layer, characterized in that after subjected tocolor photographic processing, the photographic material satisfiesequation (1) below with respect to Crm values which are defined as belowand calculated for under-exposure, correct exposure and over-exposure;the red-sensitive layer, the green-sensitive layer and theblue-sensitive layer each satisfy the following equations (2) and (3)with respect to gradients (γU, γN, γO) at under-exposure, correctexposure and over-exposure.

First, there will be described the Crm value relating the equation (1).

As a result of detailed analysis of density distribution of photographedscenes taken by general users using various cameras, it was found thatwhen metric chroma C_(ab)* values were determined with respect to eachof Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, Magenta and Cyan as basic colors of colorimages and a total value of values at under-exposure, normal exposureand over-exposure was more than a prescribed value, it was recognized tobe satisfactory color reproduction for users.

When a Macbeth color chart (having 24 squares) having been photographedwith photographic material using a camera under a sun light sourcehaving a color temperature of 4800° K at each of a correct exposure (N),an under-exposure (U) of 2 stops down from the correct exposure in whichthe aperture of the camera is reduced by 2 stops from that of thecorrect exposure and an over-exposure (O) of 2 stops up from the correctexposure in which the aperture of the camera is increased by 2 stopsfrom that of the correct exposure and after having been processed, forexample, in accordance with color processing described in JP-A No.10-123652, paragraph Nos. [0220] to [0227], the process photographicmaterial is printed on a color print paper with respect to therespective exposures under an exposure condition such that N5 gray ofthe Macbeth color chart (gray chart of 18% reflectance) gives values ofL*=50, a*=0 and b*=0, metric chroma C_(ab)* values are determined withrespect to Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, Magenta and Cyan of the color chartfor each of the foregoing exposures and the a total value of values atthe under-exposure condition, correct exposure condition and theover-exposure condition is to be the Crm value of the invention.

In the invention, the L*, a* and b* values are color coordinatesrepresented by CIE 1976 (L*,a*,b*) space, and colorimetric calculationis made using-standard light source C as an observation light to obtaintristimulus values. The L*. a* and c* values are commonly known in theart, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,616, and can alsobe determined by the method described in “Shikisai Kagaku Handbook (NewEdition)”, pages 83-146 and 182-255 (edited by Nippon Shikisai-Gakkai,published by Tokyo Daigaku Shuppankai).

The metric chroma C_(ab)* defined in the invention is a perceivedquantity in the CIE 1976 (L*,a*,b*) space and can be determined by themethod described in “Shikisai Kagaku Handbook (New Edition)”, page 277.Thus, chromaticity of a photographic material for camera use is measuredusing a color analyzer (e.g., CMS-1200, produced by Murakami ShikisaiCo., Ltd.) and the chromaticity point in the L*a*b* space is determinedusing a color matching function at a visual field of 2° and a standardlight source, C light source.

The nominal speed, designated as “S”, refers to the numeral indicatedsubsequent to designation “ISO” on the outside of a cartridge, cartridgeor a vessel housing photographic film of commonly known 135 size, IV 240Type and the like. Alternatively, on the outer surface of the metalliccontainer of 135 size roll film (also called cartridge), a portioncomprised of a conductive section and non-conductive section, aso-called CAS portion is provided to detect the film speed, and thenominal speed is the speed value indicated when the cartridge is loadedin a camera. Speed of photographic material is represented in variousways in different countries. The nominal speed in the invention isexpressed in ISO speed, which is used as an international designation.In the invention, S is preferably not less than 100 and not more than800.

The Crm value of the invention is characterized to be more than(1045−log₁₀S×75). For example, it is to be more than 895 for aphotographic material of a nominal speed of 100, it is to be more than872 for a photographic material of a nominal speed of 200, it is to bemore than 850 for a photographic material of a nominal speed of 400 andit is to be more than 828 for a photographic material of a nominal speedof 800.

Next, there will be described the gradient defined in equation (2). As aresult of detailed analysis of density distribution of photographedscenes taken by general users using various cameras, it was proved thatthe contrast in the under-exposure region is lowered that in the normalexposure region and the contrast in the over-exposure region tends to belowered due to a decrease in latitude. Accordingly, under- orover-exposure caused lowering in print quality, compared to normalexposure.

As a result of further detailed analysis, it was found that printstability of from under-exposed scenes to over-exposed scenes could bemaintained by setting gradients at under-, normal and over-exposures tobe in a specific ratio for every nominal film speed.

In the invention, the gradient can be determined in the manner describedbelow. A silver halide color photographic material is exposed through anoptical wedge for 1/200 sec. using a light source of a color temperatureof 4800° K. Subsequently, the photographic material is subjected toprescribed processing, for example, color processing in accordance withthe processing steps described in JP-A No. 10-123652, paragraph[0220]-[0227]. The formed image density is measured using a transmissionoptical densitometer, for example, X-rite densitometer to preparecharacteristic curves for yellow, magenta and cyan, comprised of anabscissa of exposure (logE) and an ordinate of density (D), from which aslope of a straight line between connected exposure points describedearlier, is determined and is referred to as a gradient.

In the silver halide color photographic material of the invention, anymethod can be employed as a means for achieving the requirements definedin equations (1) and (2) but appropriate selection or combination of thefollowing means is preferred, however, the invention is not limited tothese methods:

1. A method in which individual light-sensitive layers are each composedof two or more component layers and suitable silver halide emulsions(grain size, grain shape, halide composition, addition amount or silvercontent) and the kind or amount of spectral sensitizing dyes areoptimally chosen;

2. A method in which individual light-sensitive layers are each composedof two or more component layers and colorless couplers suitable for eachof the layers (e.g., reaction rate, spectral absorption characteristicsafter dye formation, addition amount) are optimally chosen;

3. A method in which individual light-sensitive layers are each composedof two or more component layers and colored couplers suitable for eachof the layers (e.g., kind, addition amount) are optimally chosen;

4. A method in which individual light-sensitive layers are each composedof two or more component layers and a DIR coupler is used in a specificcomponent layer, and the kind of the DIR coupler (reaction rate,diffusibility of an inhibitor component, inhibition degree) and itsamount are optimally chosen;

5. A method in which the dry thickness and the hardening degree of therespective component layers are optimally adjusted to control diffusionof the inhibitor component of a DIR coupler; and

6. A method in which a compound capable of trapping an oxidation productof a developing agent is added to an interlayer provided betweenlight-sensitive layers differing in spectral sensitivity.

A silver halide color photographic material comprising on a support ared-sensitive layer, a green-sensitive layer and a blue-sensitive layer,characterized in that after having been subjected to color photographicprocessing, the photographic material satisfies a quality value QC asdefined in the foregoing equation (4); the red-sensitive layer, thegreen-sensitive layer and the blue-sensitive layer each satisfy theforegoing equations (2) with respect to gradients (γU, γN, γO) atunder-exposure, correct exposure and over-exposure.

The quality value, QC is a parameter indicating the extent of colorbalance of a finished print of an under-exposed scene, that is, printlevel variation.

As a result of the study of methods for decreasing print level variationof commercially available printers and enhancing finished print quality,it was proved that normal exposure conditions not being determined inthe printer was a factor of increasing the print level variation. Fromanalysis of problems of finished print quality, it was further provedthat low contrast of the obtained print image was a cause thereof.

However, allowing both problems described above to exist simultaneouslymeans treating the under-exposed scene and the correctly exposed sceneas the same characteristic, leading to an increase of the silver contentof a photographic material for photographing (or camera material) andproducing problems such as silver retention, increased fogging densityand increased cost, which are by no means effective. As a means forincreasing contrast in the toe portion on a characteristic curve whichis used in the under-exposed cameral material is cited a method of usinglarge silver halide grains to increase the ISO speed. In fact, enhancingthe effective speed in printing can be achieved to some extent. On thecontrary, however, the use of large silver halide grains produces roughgraininess of the subsequent printed image, often producing complaintsof prints being unacceptable to the photographer. It was further provedthat even if the effective speed was enhanced by the foregoing method,color contrast was insufficient and proper printing conditions could notbe determined, which was not so effective to reduce print levelvariation.

The invention was achieved in view of the foregoing problems. Thus,exposure conditions of a printer are set, as follows: the overallexposure condition has up to now been controlled based on neutraldensities so as to raise or lower the finished density. In theinvention, when separated color densities, specifically those inunder-exposures are different, a correction value is calculated and therelationship between quality value QC as the correction value and thenominal speed of the photographic material is specified to provide aprint exhibiting a stable color balance even when photographed atunder-exposure. In the invention, quality value QC is represented byrounding a calculated value to one decimal point.

According to the foregoing equation (4), the quality value QC relatingto the invention is 2.8 or more for photographic material of nominalfilm speed of 100, 2.2 or more for photographic material of nominal filmspeed 200, 1.7 or more for photographic material of nominal film speed400, and 1.3 or more for photographic material of nominal film speed800.

Next, quality value QC will be detailed:QC≧15.982×S ^(−0.378)   equation (4)wherein S represents the nominal speed of a photographic material and QCis determined in accordance with the process comprising the steps of:

photographing a Macbeth color chart which is set up as a checkerboardarray of 24 squares including color chart and neutral gray chart (i.e.,6 grades of neutral gray and 18 kinds of colors other than gray) withthe photographic material under a light source having a colortemperature of 4800° K using a camera at an under-exposure of 3stops-down from normal exposure in which the aperture of the camera isreduced by 3 steps from that of the normal exposure,

processing the thus exposed photographic material in a prescribed colorprocessing, for example, the process described in paragraph[0220]-[0227] of JP-A No. 10-123652, as described later,

printing the processed photographic material on a color paper to producea color print, under such exposure conditions that the area on theprint, corresponding to Neutral 5 (or N5) gray area of the Macbeth colorchart (which is a neutral gray area exhibiting a reflectance of 18%)gives values of L*=50, a*=0 and b*=0,

subjecting the color print to chromaticity measurement to determinechroma values of areas on the print corresponding to 18 colors otherthan gray of the Macbeth color chart, and

calculating the foregoing QC value according to the following equation(5):QC=(Cr+Ch)/2   equation (5)wherein Cr and Ch are defined as

Cr=20×log₁₀(Cr0) and Ch=7.0−3×log₁₀(Ch0), wherein Cr0 is the ratio ofthe mean value of metric chroma values C_(ab)* of 18 colors of theMacbeth color chart to the mean value of chroma values of the areas onthe print corresponding to the 18 colors of the Macbeth color chart; andthe absolute value of the difference in angle between a color vector ofeach of the 18 colors of the Macbeth color chart and that of an area onthe print corresponding to each of the 18 colors is determined and theaverage value of the thus determined absolute values of the 18 colors isdefined as Ch0.

In the silver halide color photographic material of the invention, themeans for achieving the requirement defined in equation (4) is notspecifically limited but appropriate selection of the means 1 to 6described above or the combination thereof is preferred.

In the silver halide color photographic material of the invention, thetotal coating weight of silver, which is represented by an equivalentconverted to metallic silver, preferably is a silver amount value B(g/m²) defined in the following equation (8):B≦10.0−10^((−0.005×S+0.85))   equation (8)wherein S is a nominal film speed and preferably 100 to 800.

A silver halide color photographic material having a silver amount valuein proportion to the nominal speed S can optimize ultimate speed andultimate image quality and performs proper desilvering in variousprocesses, whereby the S/N ratio in the negative to positive conversionof a negative film image in digital printing can be improved.

The silver amount value (B) defined in the equation (8) is 3.4 (g/m²) orless for photographic material of a nominal film speed of 100, 3.8(g/m²) or less for photographic material of a nominal film speed 200,4.6 (g/m²) or less for photographic material of a nominal film speed400, and 5.9 (g/m²) or less for photographic material of a nominal filmspeed 800.

Next, there will be described constituent elements of the silver halidecolor photographic material of the invention.

In the preparation of silver halide emulsions relating to the inventionare usable materials described in Research Disclosure NO. 308119(hereinafter, also denoted simply as RD308119). Relevant portions areshown below. Item RD 308119 Iodide composition 993, I-A Preparationmethod 993, I-A; 994, I-E Crystal habit (regular crystal) 993, I-ACrystal habit (twinned crystal) 993, I-A Epitaxial 993, I-A Homogeneoushalide composition 993, I-B Inhomogeneous halide composition 993, I-BHalide conversion 994, I-C Halide substitution 994, I-C Metal occlusion994, I-D Monodispersibility 995, I-F Solvent addition 995, I-F Latentimage forming site (surface) 995, I-G Latent image forming site(internal) 995, I-G Photographic material (negative) 995, I-HPhotographic material (positive, 995, I-H including internally foggedgrains) Emulsion blending 995, I-I Desalting 995, II-A

Silver halide emulsions according to the invention are subjected tophysical ripening, chemical ripening and spectral sensitization. Asadditives used in these processes are shown compounds described inResearch Disclosure RD 17643, RD 18716 and RD 308119), as below. Item RD308119 RD 17643 RD 18716 Chemical Sensitizer 996, III-A 23 648 SpectralSensitizer 996, IV-A-A, B, C, 23-24 648-9 D, H, I, J Super Sensitizer996, IV-A-E, J 23-24 648-9 Antifoggant 998, VI 24-25 649 Stabilizer 998,VI 24-25 649

Photographic additives usable in the invention are also described, asshown below. Item RD 308119 RD 17643 RD 18716 Anti-staining Agent 1002,VII-I 25 650 Dye Image-Stabilizer 1001, VII-J 25 Britening Agent  998, V24 U.V. Absorbent 1003, VIII-I, XIII-C 25-26 Light Absorber 1003, VIII25-26 Light-Scattering 1003, VIII Agent Filter Dye 1003, VIII 25-26Binder 1003, IX 26 651 Anti-Static Agent 1006, XIII 27 650 Hardener1004, X 26 651 Plasticizer 1006, XII 27 650 Lubricant 1006, XII 27 650Surfactant, 1005, XI 26-27 650 Coating Aid Matting Agent 1007, XVIDeveloping Agent 1001, XXB (incorporated in photographic material)

A variety of couplers can be employed in the invention and examplesthereof are described in research Disclosures described above. Relevantdescription portions are shown below. Item RD 308119 RD 17643 Yellowcoupler 1001, VII-D VII-C˜G Magenta coupler 1001, VII-D VII-C˜G Cyancoupler 1001, VII-D VII-C˜G Colored coupler 1002, VII-G VII-G DIRcoupler 1001, VII-F VII-F BAR coupler 1002, VII-F PUG releasing coupler1001, VII-F Alkali-soluble coupler 1001, VII-E

Additives used in the invention can be added by dispersion techniquesdescribed in RD 308119 XIV. In the photographic material relating to theinvention, there can be provided auxiliary layers such as a filter layerand interlayer, as described in RD 308119 VII-K, and arranged in avariety of layer orders such as normal layer order, reverse layer orderand a unit layer arrangement.

The photographic material relating to this invention can be processedusing commonly known developers described in T. H. James “The Theory ofThe Photographic Process” Forth Edition, pp. 291-334; and J. Am. Chem.Soc. Vol. 73, pp. 3100 (1951), according to the conventional methods, asdescribed in, cited above, RD38957, items XVII through XX and RD40145,item XXII.

The present invention will be further described, based on examples, butthe invention is by no means limited to these embodiments.

Preparation of Sample 101

On a 125 μm thick, subbed triacetyl cellulose film support, thefollowing layers having composition as shown below were successivelyformed from the support side to prepare a multi-layered colorphotographic material sample 101. The addition amount of each compoundwas represented in term of g/m², unless otherwise noted. The amount ofsilver halide or colloidal silver was converted to the silver amount andthe amount of a sensitizing dye (denoted as “SD”) was represented inmol/Ag mol. 1st Layer: Anti-Halation Layer Black colloidal silver 0.13UV-1 0.30 CM-1 0.11 OIL-1 0.23 Gelatin 1.20 2nd Layer: Interlayer OIL-30.267 Gelatin 0.89 3rd Layer: Low-speed Red-sensitive Layer Silveriodobromide emulsion a 0.31 Silver iodobromide emulsion c 0.22 SD-1 1.28× 10⁻⁴ SD-2 1.78 × 10⁻⁵ SD-3 8.40 × 10⁻⁵ C-1 0.324 CC-1 0.056 D-1 0.014AS-2 0.002 OIL-2 0.320 Gelatin 1.06 4th Layer: Medium-speedRed-sensitive Layer Silver iodobromide emulsion b 0.08 Silveriodobromide emulsion d 0.40 SD-1 2.56 × 10⁻⁴ SD-2 3.50 × 10⁻⁵ SD-3 1.72× 10⁻⁴ C-1 0.219 CC-1 0.044 D-1 0.010 D-3 0.002 AS-2 0.002 OIL-2 0.001Gelatin 0.84 5th Layer: High-speed Red-sensitive Layer Silveriodobromide emulsion d 0.10 Silver iodobromide emulsion g 0.42 SD-1 7.11× 10⁻⁵ SD-2 9.78 × 10⁻⁶ SD-3 4.72 × 10⁻⁵ C-1 0.046 C-2 0.041 CC-1 0.019D-3 0.003 AS-2 0.001 OIL-2 0.088 Gelatin 0.84 6th Layer: InterlayerOIL-1 0.25 Gelatin 0.91 7th Layer: Low-speed Green-sensitive LayerSilver iodobromide emulsion b 0.23 Silver iodobromide emulsion c 0.10SD-4 1.17 × 10⁻⁴ SD-5 1.28 × 10⁻⁵ SD-6 1.61 × 10⁻⁵ M-1 0.275 CM-1 0.085D-2 0.001 D-3 0.001 AS-2 0.001 X-2 0.069 AS-3 0.033 OIL-1 0.410 Gelatin1.14 8th Layer: Medium-speed Green-sensitive Layer Silver iodobromideemulsion c 0.09 Silver iodobromide emulsion d 0.40 SD-4 3.83 × 10⁻⁴ SD-54.00 × 10⁻⁵ SD-6 5.00 × 10⁻⁵ M-1 0.101 CM-1 0.039 D-2 0.001 D-3 0.005AS-2 0.001 X-2 0.014 AS-3 0.007 OIL-1 0.280 Gelatin 1.06 9th Layer:High-speed Green-Sensitive Layer Silver iodobromide emulsion f 0.60 SD-41.01 × 10⁻⁴ SD-5 3.78 × 10⁻⁵ SD-6 6.33 × 10⁻⁶ M-1 0.058 CM-1 0.029 AS-20.001 X-2 0.015 AS-3 0.007 OIL-1 0.141 Gelatin 1.11 10th Layer: YellowFilter Layer Yellow colloidal silver 0.06 AS-1 0.02 OIL-1 0.09 Gelatin0.90 11th Layer: Low-speed Blue-sensitive Layer Silver iodobromideemulsion b 0.11 Silver iodobromide emulsion d 0.20 Silver iodobromideemulsion e 0.20 SD-7 2.78 × 10⁻⁴ SD-8 7.17 × 10⁻⁵ Y-1 0.925 AS-2 0.003OIL-1 0.371 Gelatin 1.91 12th Layer: High-sped Blue-sensitive LayerSilver iodobromide emulsion e 0.03 Silver iodobromide emulsion h 0.25SD-7 2.78 × 10⁻⁵ SD-8 1.83 × 10⁻⁵ Y-1 0.078 AS-2 0.001 D-4 0.038 OIL-10.047 Gelatin 0.61 13th Layer: First Protective Layer Silver iodobromideemulsion i 0.22 UV-1 0.10 UV-2 0.06 X-1 0.04 Gelatin 0.70 14th Layer:Second protective Layer PM-1 0.10 PM-2 0.018 WAX-1 0.02 SU-1 0.003Gelatin 0.55

In addition to the above composition were added coating aids SU-1, SU-2and SU-3; a dispersing aid SU-4; viscosity-adjusting agent V-1;stabilizer ST-1; two kinds polyvinyl pyrrolidone of weight-averagedmolecular weights of 10,000 and 1,100,000 (AF-1, AF-2); calciumchloride; inhibitors AF-3, AF-4, AF-5, Af-6 and AF-7; hardener H-1; andantiseptic Ase-1.

Characteristics of silver iodobromide emulsions used in sample 101,which were prepared in accordance with conventional method are shownbelow, in which the average grain size of silver iodobromide emulsionsc, d, e, f, g and h refers to an equivalent circular diameter and thatof silver iodobromide emulsions a, b and I refers to an edge length of acube having the same volume as that of the grain. Av. Grain Av. IodideAv. Aspect Emulsion Size (μm) Content (mol %) Ratio a 0.27 2.0 — b 0.282.0 — c 0.61 3.1 5.43 d 0.89 3.7 6.10 e 0.95 8.0 3.07 f 1.43 5.0 6.76 g1.50 3.1 6.60 h 1.23 7.9 2.85 i 0.043 1.9 —

With regard to the foregoing emulsions, except for emulsion i, afteradding the foregoing sensitizing dyes to each of the emulsions andripening the emulsions, triphenylphosphine selenide, sodium thiosulfate,chloroauric acid and potassium thiocyanate were added and chemicalsensitization was conducted according to the commonly known method untilrelationship between sensitivity and fog reached an optimum point.

The thus prepared sample 101 was proved to exhibit a nominal speed of200 and a total silver coating weight of 4.15 g/m².

The Crm value and quality value QC of sample 101, which were determinedaccording to the methods described later, were 840 and 2.1,respectively.

Preparation of Sample 102 to 108

Samples 102 to 108 were prepared similarly to sample 101, provided thatthe average grain size, aspect ratio, chemical sensitization conditionsand silver amount value of silver iodobromide emulsions in therespective light-sensitive layers, and couplers (including coloredcouplers) used in the respective light-sensitive layers and amounts of aDIR coupler and an AS agent used in the interlayer were optimallyadjusted so that the nominal film speed, Crm value and quality value QCwere achieved as shown below.

Determination of Crm Value

The thus prepared samples 101 to 108 were each put into a cartridge andloaded into a commercially available single lens reflex camera.

Using this camera, a Macbeth color chart (having 24 squares) wasphotographed under a sun light source having a color temperature of4800° K at a correct exposure condition (N), at an under-exposurecondition (U) of 2 stops-down from the correct exposure condition inwhich the aperture of the camera was reduced by 2 steps from that of thecorrect exposure and at an over-exposure condition (O) of 2 stops-upfrom the correct exposure in which the aperture of the camera wasincreased by 2 steps from that of the correct exposure, and after havingbeen processed in accordance with color processing described in JP-A No.10-123652, paragraph Nos. [0220] to [0227], the processed photographicmaterials having exposed at the foregoing exposure conditions were eachprinted on a color print paper under such exposure conditions that N5gray of the Macbeth color chart (gray chart of 18% reflectance) givesvalues of L*=50, a*=0 and b*=0, metric chroma C_(ab)* valuescorresponding to Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, Magenta and Cyan of the colorchart were determined and totalized, and the total value thereof wasdefined as the Crm value of the invention.

The chromaticity of the photographic material was measured using a coloranalyzer (e.g., CMS-1200, produced by Murakami Shikisai Co., Ltd.) andthe chromaticity point in the L*a*b* space was determined using a colormatching function at a visual field of 2° and a standard light source, Clight source.

Determination of Gradient

The gradient was determined in the manner described below. Samples eachwere exposed through an optical wedge for 1/200 sec. using a lightsource of a color temperature of 4800° K. Subsequently, the samples weresubjected to color processing in accordance with the processing stepsdescribed in JP-A No. 10-123652, paragraph [0220]-[0227]. The formedimage density was measured using a transmission optical densitometer,for example, X-rite densitometer to prepare characteristic curves foryellow, magenta and cyan, comprised of an abscissa of exposure (logE)and an ordinate of density (D), from which a slope of a straight lineconnecting between the exposure points described earlier was determinedand defined as a gradient. The gradient γU, γN and γO were eachdetermined by the following definition:

-   -   γU: a slope (tanθ) of a straight line connecting an exposure        point (−0.1−log₁₀S) and an exposure point (0.9−log₁₀S)    -   γN: a slope (tanθ) of a straight line connecting an exposure        point (0.5−log₁₀S) and an exposure point (1.5−log₁₀S),    -   γO: a slope (tanθ) of a straight line connecting an exposure        point (2.0−log₁₀S) and an exposure point (3.0−log₁₀S).        Determination of Quality Value QC

Samples 101 through 108 were each packed into a cartridge and loadedinto a commercially available single-lens reflex camera. Using thecamera, a Macbeth color chart (comprised of 24 colored squares) wasphotographed under a light source having a color temperature of 4800° Kwith varying an exposure in which the aperture of the camera is reducedby 4 steps from the normal exposure (hereinafter, also referred to as −4under-exposure) to an exposure in which the aperture was increased by 1step from the normal exposure (hereinafter, also referred to as +1over-exposure). Further, 100 shots for each of an outdoor scene againstlight and a stroboscopic (electronic-flashed) scene were photographedwith varying an object distance by 4 steps and changing backgroundcolors of gray, white, black, green and yellow at varying exposure from−2 under-exposure to +1 over-exposure, while varying the number ofobjects from one person to five persons. Furthermore, scenes with alighter background than the object, such as white wall or blue sky werephotographed through center-weighted metering at an exposure rangingfrom −1 under-exposure to +1 over-exposure, including normal exposure.The thus exposed samples were subjected to color processing inaccordance with processing steps described in JP-A No. 10-123652, col.[0220] through [0227] and the quality value QC was determined accordingto the foregoing method.

The thus obtained results are shown below. Total coating Sample NominalWeight of No. Speed Silver (g/m²) Crm Value Remark 102 100 3.57 852Comp. 101 200 4.15 840 Comp. 103 400 4.85 828 Comp. 104 800 7.05 803Comp. 105 100 3.20 902 Comp. 106 200 3.70 880 Comp. 107 400 4.40 854Comp. 108 800 5.40 833 Comp. 109 100 3.20 912 Inv. 110 200 3.70 889 Inv.111 400 4.40 868 Inv. 112 800 5.40 841 Inv.

Sample Nominal Quality Gradient No. Speed Value QC γU/γN γO/γN Remark102 100 2.6 0.90 0.92 Comp. 101 200 2.1 0.87 0.89 Comp. 103 400 1.5 0.860.87 Comp. 104 800 1.1 0.82 0.88 Comp. 105 100 2.9 0.93 0.94 Comp. 106200 2.2 0.92 0.93 Comp. 107 400 1.7 0.90 0.92 Comp. 108 800 1.4 0.880.90 Comp. 109 100 3.0 0.99 1.02 Inv. 110 200 2.4 0.98 1.00 Inv. 111 4001.8 0.98 0.99 Inv. 112 800 1.6 0.96 0.98 Inv.

Values of γU/γN and γO/γN for the red-sensitive layer, thegreen-sensitive layer and the blue-sensitive layer were eachapproximately close to each other, therefore, only gradient values ofthe green-sensitive layer were shown above.

Color Change and Image Quality Evaluation of Print

Prints of under-exposed scenes, printed by an analog printer wereevaluated with respect to color quality, in the following manner.Samples 101 through 108 were each packed into a cartridge and loadedinto a commercially available single-lens reflex camera (denoted ascamera A) and a fixed-focus, fixed-aperture, single shutter speed camera(denoted as camera B). There were set scenes of dusk and indoor as anunder-exposure scene, usually corresponding to 2 stop-under; scenes ofoutdoor front-lighting portrait under daylight, as a normal exposurescene; and scenes with a lighter background than the object, such aswhite wall or a sandy beach, as a over-exposure scene, usuallycorresponding to 2 stop-over. The respective scenes were randomlyphotographed using the cameras described above.

The thus exposed samples were processed in accordance withcolor-processing steps described in JP-A No. 10-123652, [0220] through[0227] and were printed on color print paper (Color Paper QA Type A7,produced by Konica Corp.) using an analog printer (Nice Print System NPS858, one-channel type, produced by Konica Corp.) and processed (byKonica CPK-2-21) to output 100 prints per sample. The thus obtainedprints were evaluated by 10 people (general users) with respect to colorimage quality of finished prints (print level), based on the following 4criteria:

A: finished prints with excellent contrast and color reproduction fromunder-exposure scenes to over-exposure scenes,

B: finished prints with almost favorable contrast and color reproductionfrom under-exposure scenes to over-exposure scenes,

C: fluctuation in color and a lowering in contrast being slightlyobserved in under-exposure scenes and over-exposure scenes,

D: fluctuation in color and a lowering in contrast being apparentlyobserved in all scenes of under-exposure scenes to over-exposure scenes.

Prints of under-exposed scenes, printed by a digital printer were alsoevaluated with respect to color quality, as follows. Of samples preparedfor-evaluation by using an analog printer, samples which werephotographed by using camera B and processed, were printed on colorprint paper (Color Paper QA Type A7, produced by Konica Corp.) at a Lprint size (printing magnification: 4.5 times) using a digital printer(KONICA QD21, produced by Konica Corp.) and processed (by KonicaCPK-2-21) to output 100 prints per sample. The thus obtained prints werevisually evaluated by 10 people (general users) with respect to colorimage quality of finished prints, compared to prints obtained by ananalog printer in Example 1, and were graded based on the following 4criteria:

A: excellent contrast conversion having been performed in under-exposureand over-exposure scenes, and having no problem in other printqualities, compared to analog prints;

B: favorable contrast conversion having been performed in under-exposureand over-exposure scenes, and having no problem in other printqualities, compared to analog prints;

C: contrast being substantially equivalent to analog prints and noproblem in finished prints; and

D: unnatural prints with excessively enhanced contrast, compared toanalog prints, being judged to be outside a permissible range.

Of the foregoing samples photographed by the camera B, scenes of theunder-exposure and correct exposure conditions were printed using adigital printer (KONICA QD21, produced by Konica Corp.) to prepareprints. The digital printer was operated so that local printing wasautomatically done. The thus obtained prints were evaluated by 10 peoplehaving experience in using the printer with respect to color imagequality of finished prints (print level), taking account of occurrenceof variation of print level from the preferred neutral level, based onthe following criteria:

A: excellently finished prints within less than 5% of color correctionin printer;

B: occurrence of prints necessary to make 5 to 10% correction based oncolor buttons being less than 10%, leading to almost favorable finishedprints;

C: occurrence of prints necessary to make 5 to 10% correction based oncolor buttons being 10 to 30%, falling within levels acceptable inpractice;

D: occurrence of prints necessary to make 10 to 30% correction based oncolor buttons being within 30%, leading to unacceptable levels inpractice.

Results obtained in the foregoing evaluation are shown below. AnalogPrinter Digital Printer Sample Camera Camera Contrast Color No. (A) (B)Color Reproduction Quality Remark 101 A C C C Comp. 102 B D C D Comp.103 C D C D Comp. 104 C D D D Comp. 105 A C B C Comp. 106 A C C C Comp.107 B D C D Comp. 108 B D D D Comp. 109 A A A A Inv. 110 A B A A Inv.111 A B B B Inv. 112 B C B B Inv.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the invention, there was provided a silver halide colorphotographic material of a relatively low silver content suitable fordigital print, whereby print quality superior in contrast and colorreproduction was achieved irrespective of camera quality used forpicture-taking.

1. A silver halide color photographic material comprising on a support ared-sensitive layer, a green-sensitive layer and a blue-sensitive layer,wherein after subjected to color processing, the photographic materialsatisfies equation (1) below with respect to Crm values which aredefined as below and calculated for under-exposure, correct exposure andover-exposure; the red-sensitive layer, the green-sensitive layer andthe blue-sensitive layer each satisfy the following equations (2) and(3) with respect to gradients (γU, γN, γO) for under-exposure, correctexposure and over-exposure;Crm≧1045−log₁₀ S×75   equation (1) wherein S is a nominal speed of thephotographic material, and Crm is defined as follows: when a Macbethcolor chart (having 24 squares) having been photographed with thephotographic material using a * camera under a sun light source having acolor temperature of 4800° K at each of a correct exposure (N), anunder-exposure (U) of being 2 stops down from the correct exposure andan over-exposure (O) of being 2 stops up from the correct exposure andafter having been processed, the photographic material is printed on acolor print paper with respect to the respective exposures under such anexposure condition that N5 gray of the Macbeth color chart (gray chartof 18% reflectance) gives values of L*=50, a*=0 and b*=0, metric chromaC_(ab)* values are determined for Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, Magenta andCyan of the color chart at each of the under-exposure, the correctexposure and the over-exposure and the Crm value is a total value of themetric chroma values at the under-exposure condition, correct exposurecondition and the over-exposure condition;0.92≦γU/γN≦1.05   equation (2)0.92≦γO/γN≦1.05   equation (3) wherein when a density function curve(D-logE) indicating a relationship between exposure and color density isprepared for the photographic material processed, the γU, γN and γO areeach determined by the following definition: γU: a slope (tanθ) of astraight line connecting an exposure point (−0.1−log₁₀S) and an exposurepoint (0.9−log₁₀S), γN: a slope (tanθ) of a straight line connecting anexposure point (0.5−log₁₀S) and an exposure point (1.5−log₁₀S), γO: aslope (tanθ) of a straight line connecting an exposure point(2.0−log₁₀S) and an exposure point (3.0−log₁₀S).
 2. A silver halidecolor photographic material comprising on a support a red-sensitivelayer, a green-sensitive layer and a blue-sensitive layer, wherein aftersubjected to color photographic processing, the photographic materialsatisfies the following equation (4) with respect to a quality value QCas defined as below; the red-sensitive layer, the green-sensitive layerand the blue-sensitive layer each satisfy the foregoing equations (2)with respect to gradients (γU, γN, γO) at under-exposure, correctexposure and over-exposure,QC≧15.982×S ^(−0.378)   equation (4) wherein S is a nominal speed andpreferably from 100 to 800; and QC is defined as below; when a Macbethcolor chart (24 squares) having been photographed with the photographicmaterial using a camera under a light source having a color temperatureof 4800° K at an under-exposure of 3 stops-down from normal exposure inwhich the aperture of the camera is reduced by 3 steps from the normalexposure and after having been processed, the photographic material isexposed to obtain a print under the exposure condition so that N5 grayof the Macbeth color chart (gray chart of 18% reflectance) gives valuesof L*=50, a*=0 and b*=0 and 18 colors other than gray are subjected tochromaticity measurement, the quality value of QC is calculatedaccording to the following equation (5):QC=(Cr+Ch)/2   equation (5) wherein Cr and Ch are defined in thefollowing equations (6) and (7):Cr=20×log₁₀(Cr0)   equation (6)Ch=7.0−3×log₁₀(Ch0)   equation (7) wherein Cr0 represents a ratio of amean metric chroma value C_(ab)* calculated from chromaticity values of18 colors of the Macbeth color chart to a mean metric chroma valueC_(ab)* calculated from chromaticity values of 18 colors of the print ofthe Macbeth color chart; and when from color vectors of the 18 colors ofthe Macbeth color chart and the respective color vectors of the printcorresponding to the Macbeth color chart, chromaticity fluctuations forthe respective colors are represented by an angle between the foregoingcolor vectors for each of the 18 colors, and a mean value of thechromaticity fluctuations is designated as Ch0.
 3. The silver halidecolor photographic material according to claim 1, wherein the totalcoating weight of silver is a silver amount B (g/m²) as defined in thefollowing equation (8):B≦10.0−10^((−0.005×S+0.85))   equation (8) wherein S is a nominal speedof the photographic material.
 4. The silver halide color photographicmaterial according to claim 1, wherein the nominal speed S is from 100to
 800. 5. The silver halide color photographic material according toclaim 2, wherein the total coating weight of silver is a silver amount B(g/m²) as defined in the following equation (8):B≦10.0−10^((−0.005×S+0.85))   equation (8) wherein S is a nominal speedof the photographic material.
 6. The silver halide color photographicmaterial according to claim 2, wherein the nominal speed S is from 100to
 800. 7. The silver halide color photographic material according toclaim 3, wherein the nominal speed S is from 100 to
 800. 8. The silverhalide color photographic material according to claim 5, wherein thenominal speed S is from 100 to 800.